Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

We're getting closer to having our first Wawa hoagies, soft pretzels and coffee without leaving the Treasure Coast.

Later this summer or in early fall, the popular Pennsylvania-based chain will open the region's first Wawa gas station and convenience store in Stuart at the southeast corner of Kanner Highway and Monterey Road.

A location in Indian River County at the southeast corner of U.S. 1 and 12th Street also is projected to open this year, Wawa spokeswoman Lori Bruce said.

A Port St. Lucie Wawa at the southwest corner of Tradition and Village parkways and a second Indian River County location at the northwest corner of State Road 60 and 90th Avenue, are both expected to open in early 2017, Bruce said.

MORE | Scroll down to watch a video of FLORIDA TODAY reporters explain how to get to the first Brevard location of Wawa.

While we have to wait a few months for our first local Wawa's grand opening, if you're willing to venture north to Brevard County there soon will be two options.

'We are really looking forward to opening on the east coast with our first stores in Brevard,' Bruce said.

FIRST EAST COAST STORES

The chain, which also has locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, opened its first Florida location in Orlando in mid-2012.

Brevard's first Wawa, the state's 87th, opens Thursday at 5605 N. Wickham Road in Palm Shores at the corner of the Pineda Causeway Extension. The Wawa is 45 miles from Vero Beach Outlets and 10 miles from the Melbourne Square mall.

The second Brevard Wawa opens May 26 at 3175 W. New Haven Ave. in West Melbourne about two miles away from the Melbourne mall and a 36-mile drive from the Vero outlet mall.

Wawa officials have said the company's goal is to operate 300 locations in the state in the next 15 years, including 14 to 15 locations on the Treasure Coast, with six to seven locations in St. Lucie County and about four in Indian River and Martin counties.

Palm Beach County could get its first Wawa station in 2017.

WHY THE FUSS?

The gas station chain, which has a cult-like following, has had customers get married in its stores, plan trips based on store locations and even get Wawa tattoos.

Until I went to a Wawa in Orlando last spring, I didn't understand what the fuss was about.

Wawa also is well-known for its soft, fresh-baked pretzels — some which come stuffed with sweet cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jalapeño cheese — sold at the cash registers.

No, I'm not planning on getting a tattoo, but I can't wait for Wawa to arrive on the Treasure Coast.

All About Wawa

Free ATMS: Wawa doesn't charge for cash withdrawals. There also are no added fees for using credit cards.

Coffee: Wawa brews more than 195 million cups of coffee each year using its own special blends and a variety of flavors. Other beverages include iced and hot lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, chai tea, frozen cappuccinos and smoothies.

Hoagies and food: Hoagies are the most popular food item and Wawa makes more than 80 million built-to-order hoagies each year, with specialties that include meatball and cheesesteak. Wawa also has soups, sides, salads, wraps and ready-to-go foods.

Touch-screen ordering: You place your customized sandwich order on a touch-screen menu at the deli counter.

Brevard Grand Openings

Palm Shores Wawa

Address: 5605 N. Wickham Road, at the corner of the Pineda Causeway ExtensionEstimated travel: 10 miles from Melbourne Square mall, about a 21-minute drive, depending on traffic; 45 miles from Vero Beach Outlets, about 43 minutes away; 80 miles from Treasure Coast Square mall in Jensen Beach or about 83 minutes away.Grand opening, May 19: Doors open at 8 a.m. and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 10 a.m.

West Melbourne WawaAddress: 3175 W. New Haven Ave., just west of Minton RoadGrand opening, May 26: Doors open at 8 a.m. and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 10 a.m.Estimated travel: Two miles from Melbourne Square mall, about a six-minute drive, depending on traffic; 36 miles from Vero Beach Outlets, about 36 minutes away; 72 miles from Treasure Coast Square mall in Jensen Beach or about 76 minutes away.

FLORIDA TODAY reporters explain how to get to the first Brevard locaton of Wawa:

Read or Share this story: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/money/business/bargainista/2016/05/17/bargainista-wawa-gas-stations-convenience-stores-coming-soon-to-treasure-coast-video-map-photos/89391154/